Huge win for car owners! All TSBs to be made public.
The Center for Auto Safety just made the NHTSA (US Government) make public the full text of all TSBs from now on. They are the same organization that has petitioned the NHTSA & filed lawsuits to protect car owners over exploding gas tanks & other major safety issues.
Whenever you drive in your car, you are safer thanks in part to a lot of work over the years by this small but very effective consumer advocacy group.

Hard/Soft Shifting, Rattling Noise, Gear Ratio Out, Od Light On

CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2002 Ford Explorer is hands-down our worst vehicle on record. "Avoid like the plague" is putting it lightly.

The 2002-2005 Explorer has a very well-established record of expensive transmission failure at under 100k miles. The Explorer has an enclosed transmission which is typically replaced with a rebuilt transmission at a cost of almost $3,000.

Another common problem for the 2002-2003 Explorer is wheel bearing failure at around 90k miles, with a typical repair bill of $500 to $1000 depending on how many wheel bearings failed.

Adding insult to injury, the 2002-2005 Explorer also has a massive problem with the rear panel cracking. While it's a minor annoyance compared to transmission failure, ironically the crack usually goes right through the Ford logo.

Explorer XLT V6 4.0L

Automatic transmission

158,000 miles

I have had the car since 2002 with no major issues until last year. It was hard to shift gears, grinding sounds,knocking and hesitation when accelerating. The car started overheating and decide it was not going to move again. I have always taken care of my car and drove it about 30 miles per week ( on a busy week). The car should not have a failing transmission. Ford should be able to guarantee that you won't need a new car before 150,000 miles.

Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.6L V8

Automatic transmission

110,000 miles

Ford knows about this problem. They should take full responsibility of fixing it. Take a look at any for sale by owner website for vehicles and you will see the 2002 Ford Explorers with low miles, all have transmission issues. This is not fair to the hardworking Americans who have given back to Ford over and over for their products. At this time I have purchased from Nissan just because of the warranty itself. Shame on you Ford Motor Company for not taking care of your returning customers.

Buying a vehicle is a big investment for the working class people, and if they're working they need reliable transportation. These transmissions you have put in the Explorers are throw aways.

Several things I have been told by qualified transmission shops, so my first issue is the clutch plates.

Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.6L V8

Automatic transmission

138,012 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer V-8. I really enjoyed this vehicle right up until last week. I now have a transmission problem that is going to cost me over 2000 dollars. I only have 138k miles on this vehicle.

Looking on line everyone who has one also has the same problem. I believe this is unfair to the customers who believed that bought a reliable vehicle then find out they can't go to work because of a failing transmission. I strongly believe that since this tranny problems have persisted through the years with Ford that they should take on the expense to fix them.

The transmission company I spoke with not only let me know that he could rebuild one better then I have since obviously Ford knew from the beginning that they would have these problems.

A new transmission solenoid, new clutch plates, new pump, new brass brushings that won't wear, whatever else goes into the tranny.
I see on other sites such as craigslist, ebay, ford forum, ect. people are having the same problems. The even are existing on the newer version of the Ford Explorer.

I say shame on you Ford Motor Company, you are manufacturing vehicles to be replaced, and so you know people at my age were taught to take care of what we have and they would last longer.

I bought this vehicle from an elderly couple and he worked for a Ford Dealer. They always serviced it at a Ford Dealer.
Many people out there are in the same situation as I am, so I can tell you this, I will not be purchasing another Ford that is for sure. People can not make payments on Ford vehicles and put 2000 to 3000 into them to get them to work.

Explorer XLS V6

Automatic transmission

100,000 miles

The Explorer just stopped going in the middle of the road and left me stranded with groceries and two small children. No one could come and get me, I had to hitch a ride with a guy I didn't know just to get home. That vehicle cost me a lot of money.

Explorer 4-0

Automatic transmission

135,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The transmission gear ratio in my 2002 Ford Explorer for second and fifth gear is off, the cost to have it rebuilt and fixed is around $2300-. After researching this on-line I found that this transmission is noted for failing. Ford needs to recall this transmission, it is a piece of junk

Explorer

Automatic transmission

148,000 miles

02 Explorer,hard shifting into 2nd & 3rd gears/occasionally wont shift-have to do it manually/pull off of the road to avoid getting hit by oncoming vehicles as car stops pulling for few seconds. The Overdrive light is flashing & the "Service engine soon" light stays on.

I am a single mother who works part time doing contract work which requires travel. I am very distraught after doing 2 days of research on Error code PO745 (Advance Auto diagnostic). It seems I am going to have to have the transmission rebuilt. Coupled with another common problem these models have, I would be putting more into the car than its even worth!!! Even worse is I have no way to get the money to fix the car & have just started rebuilding my credit (result of divorce) & don;t make enough to even pay a pyt for another vehicle!!! It seems basically, I am stuck with a piece of worthless junk! I would love to be a part of a class action lawsuit. I will NEVER have another FORD!

Explorer LS V6

I loved this car and drove it everywhere. I kept it in perfect condition and just spent several thousand replacing the struts, brakes and 4 new tires. Always performed oil changes and required maintenance.

After reading about the problems Ford had with this particular type of transmission, and the fact that they will not cover the costs of repairs, leads me to never buy another Ford again. I only buy from companies that are reputable and stand behind their products and clearly Ford is not one of those. My Explorer is just a piece of junk now and no guarantee that the new transmission will be any better than the first one, so I will not be replacing it. Guess I'll be looking for a "foreign" car.

Update from Aug 15, 2013: Fixed the vehicle by replacing the transmission with a "rebuilt" one, for $4000.00. I spent another $1500 on various little things and ended up getting rid of the car. I never felt safe in it again...always wondering if I would make it home from a trip or be stuck on the side of the road. I lost my confidence in this ford product.

I ended up buying a VW Passat diesel. Great gas mileage and very dependable.

Explorer 4.0V6

Automatic transmission

206,750 miles

people spend the money to buy this suv dnt have extra money to repair this on going problem. this can be a accident waiting to happen bc it wont shift into gears, so lawsuit waiting to be filed will happen soon im sure by someone

Explorer LX 3.2L V6

Automatic transmission

127,000 miles

My Ford Explorer is giving me a hard time, driving it is a mess, gears shift, it makes a weird noise, it smells burning inside the car, the mechanics can't find any code indicating failure, the o/d is blinking constantly, gas performance is bad, and it keeps shifting and shifting even in highways. Hare to move from stopped position. I have 2 kids, i am concerned about any safety problem. I am really upset with Ford. I already spent $200 on changing fluids but no change.

Explorer Eddie B V6

Automatic transmission

115,154 miles

just started today without warning. I drive the truck very easy because I can't afford gas in it if I drive it hard. Today the O/D light and transmission warning came on and started flashing. Truck is parked for now until I can figure out what to do with it

Explorer Eddie Bower V6

Automatic transmission

160,512 miles

I agree with the others that would never buy a Ford again, because they obviously overlooked much when it comes to the Explorer model. Like others on this forum I have replaced all wheel bearings, engine coil, EGR valve, and now the transmission is slipping and often will not shift into overdrive. Obviously Ford was trying to salvage the Explorer SUV during the roll-over years, with the redesign of the independent real suspension. I have several quotes to fix the bad transmission and personally I do not think it is worth the expense. Name another automatic transmission that does not have a dipstick to check the fluid level? Interesting enough I owned a 96 model Explorer that did not have any of the problems mentioned above. I am wishing I had that one back in exchange for the 02 that for all practical purposes is worthless..."Ford has a better idea"--Not when it comes to the 2002 Explorer!

Explorer LX

Automatic transmission

116,000 miles

After reading everyone else' complaints I am even more convinced that Ford simply does NOT care about their user experience. I love my car but hate the fact that the transmission is so unreliable. This is my first FORD vehicle and will most likely be my last. Shame on FORD for not recalling a failed product and making people spend tons of money on repairs. I am facing a host of issues from grinding and rumbling transmission, to terrifying jerking of the car when stopped at a red light. My mechanic said this will most likely cost between 1500-2300 to repair. I'm furious with the company and will absolutely contact a lawyer to inquire about the possibility of a class action suit. Based on the comments here and elsewhere online, I'm sure many people will get on board.

If you work for FORD and are reading this post, feel free to continue building a positive brand experience for your consumers by actually acknowledging PUBLICLY what the issues are and how you plan on addressing them in the VERY NEAR FUTURE!!!

Explorer 4.0L V6

Automatic transmission

142,000 miles

My 2002 ford explorer has been a great car up until 09 when I started experiencing my transmission shifting hard in 1st gear and my o/d light blinking on and off. I see that there is a lot of people complaining about this problem and Ford is doing nothing to take care of it. I called Ford Motor Company today to ask them for a good will repair and she told me that there is nothing that they can do for me and that she has not heard anything about 02 explorers having transmission problems. LOL I told her to look online and see the thousands of people begging for ford to call a recall on the problem. I just had to replace my Engine in it, now I am going to have to put another 2500.00 into it. This is BULL. We have bought 9 cars from ford in the past 8yrs and this is how they take care of us? Wow. I mean come on not putting a dipstick tube for the transmission and building the transmission out of basically sheet metal what do they expect was going to happen? BUT THE PRICE WAS STILL 25 TO 30,000 DOLLARS.

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